ARE political motives at work against any Ipswich City councillor building a reputation for hard work and honesty?
Or is it just a case that a group or maybe just one person has an agenda to slander and destroy any councillor the community is saying “well done” to?
These are the questions that well-liked first time councillor Nicole Jonic is trying to reason with after her reputation was slandered in a detailed anonymous letter which was recently sent by registered mail to every councillor as well as a national news TV reporter.
The information could only have been obtained as the result of a forensic like search into her past that revealed she appeared in court more than 12 years ago on a minor marijuana charge.
An offence so small that the magistrate recorded no conviction on her record.
Once the ever hungry TV networks got the letter it was only a matter of time before they would spring their accusing questions on the unsuspecting target.
That moment came last week as Cr Jonic joined other politicians to watch the demolition of the first of the reclaimed flood homes at Goodna.
“The journalist just came out of the blue and asked me to comment on the cowardly attackers’ letter which I had only just referred to the police for investigation,” Cr Jonic said.
“It took me by shock, but I answered and told them that it was in police hands.”
It’s not the only matter the police are looking into in regards intimidation tactics against the young mother of two.
“I HAVE also been receiving burnt black feathers in the mail for the past year and I believe it’s all connected,” she said.
A search into the meaning of receiving burnt black feathers reveals it’s an ominous warning that something’ in your life will crash and burn.
Cr Jonic in an effort to explain the court appearance posted a statement to her Facebook saying she regretted the error of judgment that she made when she was younger.
“It has, however, helped shape me into the person I am today,” she said.
“It gave me the drive to work that much harder and to take full advantage of opportunities that have come my way, both personally and professionally.
“I am proud of my achievements and the person I have become.”
She went on in her statement to say she only became a councillor because she loved her community.
“While I am not legally required to talk about this, I am choosing to do so because I received several separate threats that are highly inappropriate,” she posted.
“I won’t be intimidated by anyone , I will continue to represent my community unashamedly because I am human and I am happy to share my past experiences, the good, the bad and the lessons I have learned along the way.”
Cr Jonic was in the cross-hairs of the mayor and other councillors last year when she brought to light the fact that thousands of Ipswich residents had gone on Facebook to say they supported the name Paul Pisasale to stay on a bridge at Springfield.
She made it abundantly clear at the time that she wasn’t endorsing this, but that it was wrong for council to just dismiss the public’s wishes which were not contained in an amended report tabled in council.
The Pisasale “death brigade” that rises to anger every time the former mayor’s name is mentioned attacked quickly and used similar comments made in a press interview by the mayor to colour their vitriol.
“It left me shattered and I wondered at the time if I should just throw it all in and go back to my well- established accountancy practice full-time,” she said.
“I admit I started rethinking that this week, but I don’t want to give the people behind this a victory, I have always been a fighter and I am determined to beat them.”
Deputy Mayor of Ipswich Jacob Madsen backed Cr Jonic in a comment on her post.
“Nikki I am proud to know you and working with you has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life,” he wrote.
“Your passion for the people you represent cannot be understated.
“You are a shining example of how someone should turn themselves around from the life event you have shared in your post.
“Our community is so lucky to have you.”
